2 02

I opened my phone's flashlight and slit open the masking tape of the boxes using my spare key of the house that I have inside my bag. I took a few undies and clothes- folded them neatly and small to fit my bag. I also took a towel and packed it in. I also took my toiletry kit.

I took out all the clothes of my Dad and Brother and put it in the box of my personal belongings. I took my knife set that's wrapped in a black cloth holder to keep it lined and in order, snacks and spices that I left in my dorm in America. I can cook with the spices from when I can find somewhere to stay for the time being. Who knows where my Dad and brother are? I don't know how I could survive here without food or without money-

I sat down on the floor and opened up my bag to see if the allowance that Dad gives me yearly is there. I could feel my chest beating hard and fast! I found a familiar pouch and felt the heavy weight of it. Thank goodness!

Growing up, I would see my Dad always handing Mom these pouches whenever they'd meet. My Mom and I go to the jewelry store to have the gold weighed and pawned so that we could have money to spend for our needs. I used to remember how I hated being given these heavy gold coin pouches every year when I was living in the states- but now, I'm thankful that I even have gold to use!

I took my jars of nutella and packs of various nuts that I love munching on, just every food that I have there and put it in the sling duffle bag and my bag. I also took my trusted spray bottle and sachets of fabric conditioner and took a long bar of detergent. I sighed as I thought of how all this happened. I found a light blanket that I use whenever I was travelling by plane and decided that I could use it since it was really cold.

I could hear the heavy footsteps against the wooden ceiling- I hid behind a wooden block as the unfamiliar voices came near and opened the entrance from above.

"I am upset at the fact that the First-in-command and Second-in-command can go to the neighbouring country and bring their sons with them. They say that the neighbouring country is a worldly country." The first man said as I could him them going down the wooden ladder.

"They say that the neighbouring country has delicious food." The second man said. "I heard Isshiki-kun and Satoshi-kun say so."

Isshiki… Are they talking about Yuuki? Who is Satoshi-kun?

"I heard from Kito-sama that people from the neighbouring country are weak and vulnerable." The first man said.

I furrowed my brow, Kito...sama? People living wherever this is aside is considered weak and vulnerable? I scoffed lightly and covered my mouth.

I could hear both of them stop as the first man carried the sack of detergent and raised it to the second man that was outside. "Do you think…"

"What?" The second man asked.

"A lady."

I froze in place and scolded myself mentally for scoffing. Cold beads of sweat forming on my forehead as I prayed to all the Gods of different religions to save me from being caught. Dad did say that I wasn't allowed to go with them in their country-

"Do you think they met ladies in the neighbouring country?" He asked blushing. I sighed in relief and thanked whoever I could silently.

"Baka!" The second man shouted. The first man had a guilty look. I was shocked. How can such a statement give someone this much reaction?

"Of course, they did!" The second man cooed and both men laughed.

Are they both… frustrated? Frustrated to the point that talking about girls seem to make them happy? Once the second box was given to the second man. The first man climbed the ladder and closed the only door way out.

I trembled as I could feel the cold catching up to me. Usually, I could bear the cold weather but with the snow outside and the pitch black darkness- it all felt cold to me.

I closed my eyes and suddenly remembered that I had a set of free heat packs from when I bought the detergent yesterday. Bless the generous grocery store!

I opened my bag and saw that I also had heat pad stickers. I opened one and slid my hand under the kimono and the camisole I wore and put it on my bare back. I stuck a sticker on my left palm and put back my glove to keep it warm.

I saw a few fruits and saw that there were lemons and apples. I packed a lot and munched on an apply as I wore my bag and climbed up the ladder, I leaned my ear next to the chute and tried to hear if they were still out there but I couldn't hear anything. My ears were welcomed by a cool breeze that made me instantly shudder- it's freezing outside!

I opened the chute and went outside. I got welcomed by the harsh wind. I wore my handkerchief as a face mask to at least protect my nose and mouth from the wind. I looked at the dock to see a pillar and an arc with a sign that says Kingdom of the East of Izanami.

I ran as fast as I could to the dock. I knew from experience that trying to walk carefully on ice would only make me prone to slipping. I tried to look for shelter but saw that there was only tall trees leading into a forest and suddenly I felt like I was back to my childhood-

"Oyaji?" I cried out. I looked around and saw that there were only trees.

"Oniichan?" I yelled. I looked down, feeling the hot tears well up and sat on the frozen ground. It was a cold day in December when my Dad and Brother wanted to take me out with them to hunt wild game.

I felt my fingers go numb as I opened my eyes. I looked and saw that I was lying on the snow and my right cheek numb from the cold. How I could still dream of my past in this situation is still a surprise to me even though I knew that when I got lost in the forest during the winter of the year 2001, I felt like the cold was never an issue for me anymore- well, not until now.

When I was a kid, my Dad used to teach me how to hunt animals and taught me a lot of things about the wild and nature. I grew up very active and always spending my time with my brother. Mom would always tell me stories from when Yuuki and I were kids. She told me that I was one of the boys and that I was like a baby chick following Dad around whenever he comes home.

When Dad took Yuuki with him, we spent less and less time with each other. Mom said that Dad was training Yuuki to be a man.

Now that I think about it, besides having muscles and facial hair doesn't really tell if you've become a man. I sighed and continued walking ankles deep in the snow. I look towards the sky, "It's too gloomy." I said.

I went straight ahead without looking back. With how strong the snow storm is, I won't last long with walking. I started to make a shelter using snow.

"Who's there?"

I instantly froze on the spot. I looked forward and saw that there was a silhouette of a man.

"Stop what you're doing." The man said as he walked closer. "State your name and why you're here."

"My name is Haru. I'm afraid that I'm lost." I couldn't move my fingers anymore. My breathing felt ragged and my toes were frozen.

My vision blurred and my knees gave away.